SBCSS News and Press Releases

Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project Event On June 5

2009-06-01

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - More than 100 veterans of San Bernardino County who missed high school graduation because of their military service will receive their high school diplomas in a ceremony on June 5.

The Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project, offered in a partnership between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the county's Department of Veterans Affairs, will recognize 110 veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The event is for veterans or family members of those who are deceased for awarding their high school diploma to those who met the qualifications.

"This is a wonderful event to honor those veterans who have done so much for our country," County Superintendent Gary Thomas said. "I appreciate the opportunity to take part in such a worthwhile ceremony and to personally thank the veterans or their family members for their service."

The Diploma Project event will be held at 5 p.m. on June 5 at the Goldy S. Lewis Community Center, 11200 Baseline in Rancho Cucamonga.

The featured speaker at the event will be Todd Anton, a history teacher from Victorville. Anton has earned national recognition for his work on collecting oral history from World War II veterans. He is the author of a book about baseball players who served in the military in the war titled, "No Great Love: Life Stories from the Men Who Save Baseball."

The California Education Code authorizes the granting of retroactive high school diplomas to eligible veterans, as well as those who were interned by federal order during World War II.

All applicants for the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project must have been enrolled in high school prior to their military service or internment in a World War II relocation camp.

For more information concerning the event, contact the County Schools' Communications office at (909) 386-2413.